Adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable bracket assembly for use with an arch wire includes a base member, an attachment member, and means for movably associating the base member with the attachment member, whereby the attachment member is slidably received within the base member, whereby a variable sized arch wire receiving channel may be formed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly,adapted for use with an arch wire, wherein different sizes of arch wiremay be utilized and vector forces acting upon a tooth may be changed orvaried, all without removing the bracket assembly from the tooth beingtreated.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In orthodontic practice, arch wire bending is a time consuming, butessential component of the treatment procedure. Tooth alignment problemsare corrected by applying appropriate bends to a generally U-shaped archwire. When out-of-line, or malposed, teeth are secured to the arch wireby means of orthodontic brackets, forces exerted upon the teeth to movethem into a desired orientation over a period of time to correctmalocclusions of the teeth. Teeth initially having proper alignment aresecured to unbent portions of the arch wire and may serve to define an"ideal" orientation to which the other teeth are directed.

The modes of tooth movement required for correcting malocclusions of theteeth include: up-down (elevating or lowering a tooth within itssocket); rotation (turning of the tooth in its socket about itslongitudinal axis either clockwise or counter clockwise); tipping(tilting of the tooth toward the front, or mesially of the dental arch;or toward the back, or distally of the dental arch); and torquing(twisting, or turning, the tooth about an axis formed by the arch wire,either toward the tongue, or lingual surface of the mouth, or toward thecheek or lip, or buccal or labial surface of the mouth).

Present day orthodontic brackets are applied to the teeth by bonding thebracket directly to the teeth. Each bracket is typically provided with aslot for arch wire containment, or an arch wire receiving channel, andligature tie grooves, or wings, to receive elastic rings, or rubberbands, or tie wires for securing the arch wire to each bracket. In oldertechniques, the brackets were first welded to metal bands and the metalbands were then slipped over the teeth and cemented into place. Presentone-piece orthodontic brackets are cast or molded to have a fixed,predetermined amount of torque, tipping, and sometimes rotation designedinto the particular bracket. These brackets are designed to limit archwire bending somewhat for average, normally-shaped teeth, and it isassumed that the bracket will be placed and bonded in a preciselydetermined position upon the tooth. Since provision has only be made for"average" teeth in these fixed, one-piece bracket systems, there istypically no allowance for normally-occurring differences in toothanatomy, or in bracket placement errors. Bending of the arch wire istherefore typically required to correct the alignment problems. In manytreatments, it may be necessary to remove the brackets from the teeth,and rebond them in a different position; however, this can be a timeconsuming process.

It has been proposed to provide multi-piece bracket systems, whichtypically include a bracket and a bracket holder mounted upon the tooth,as an attempt to eliminate some arch wire bending procedures, as well asan attempt to avoid removal and rebonding of the bracket. A disadvantageof such systems has been a large initial expense because theorthodontist is required to purchase and maintain an inventory of a verylarge number of specially slotted brackets. Furthermore, identificationof the proper bracket for each tooth and each situation is believed tobe quite time consuming. It is believed that such systems also sufferfrom the disadvantage that it is typically necessary to remove thebracket from its holder in a mesial-distal (side-to-side) movement, adifficult operation particularly with small, closely positioned teeth.Some of these systems also required that the orthodontist insert smallpin members in order to hold the multi-piece bracket systems togetherinto their desired configuration, which can also be a difficult and timeconsuming task.

A major disadvantage associated with both prior art one-piece ormulti-piece bracket assemblies has been that once the orthodontistbegins the orthodontic treatment and selects a particular size arch wireto use, he must continue to use that particular arch wire throughout thetreatment procedure. If he decides to change the size of the arch wire,it is necessary, in the case of one-piece brackets, to remove all of thebrackets from the teeth, and replace them with different brackets havinga larger arch wire slot, or arch wire receiving channel, in order toaccommodate the larger, or smaller, size arch wire. In this regard,typically more force can be applied to the teeth when a larger arch wireis used. In the case of multi-piece bracket assemblies, it would benecessary to remove all of the brackets from the holders in order tosubstitute different brackets having either a larger or a smaller sizeslot, or arch wire receiving channel. Furthermore, in many of thesingle-piece brackets, and multi-piece bracket assemblies, repeatedadjustments to the arch wire, and/or repeated substitution of bracketpieces is required as the treatment progresses and the malposed teethmove into their desired orientation.

An additional disadvantage associated with prior art orthodonticbrackets relates to the configuration of the slot, or arch wirereceiving channel. They are all typically formed as a generally U-shapedchannel, having the vertically extending legs joined to the base atright angles to one another, and there are also right angles formed atthe exit ends of the channel. Thus, movement of the arch wire, whethercaused by sliding movement of the arch wire within the channel, orcaused by bending of the arch wire by the orthodontist, can cause thearch wire to bind within the slot of the bracket at the sharp edgesformed by the right angles.

Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, therehas been no adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly adapted for use withan arch wire which: is simple and economical to use; permits differentsizes of arch wires to be utilized without either removing and rebondingthe bracket to the teeth or by changing all the bracket components ofmulti-part systems; easily permits changing the vector forces actingupon the teeth without removing the bracket or substituting an extensivenumber of bracket components; and prevents binding of the arch wirewithin the arch wire receiving channel, or slot. Therefore, the art hassought an adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly, adapted for use withan arch wire, which: is simple and economic to use; permits differentsizes of arch wires to be utilized in the orthodontic treatment, withoutremoval and rebonding of different sized brackets to the teeth, orwithout substituting an entirely different size set of bracket members;permits the vector forces exerted upon the teeth to be easily changedwithout removing and rebonding brackets to the teeth, or withoutsubstituting an excessive number of bracket components; and preventsbinding of the arch wire within the arch wire receiving channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing advantages have beenachieved through the present adjustable bracket assembly, adapted foruse with an arch wire. The present invention includes: a base memberhaving at least one arch wire contact surface, the base member adaptedto be associated with the surface of a tooth; an attachment memberhaving at least one arch wire contact surface; and means for movablyassociating the base member and the attachment member with respect toone another to provide an arch wire receiving channel formed by the atleast one arch wire contact surfaces of the base member and theattachment member, whereby the size of the arch wire receiving channelmay be varied to accommodate various sizes of arch wire. A feature ofthe present invention is that the movable association means may includea sliding connection means between the base member and the attachmentmember, and the sliding connection means may include an opening disposedwithin the base member and the attachment member has an elongate supportmember which is received within the opening in a sliding relationship.

A further feature of the present invention is that it may include meansfor biasing the base member and the attachment member together to biasthe at least one arch wire contact surfaces of the base member and theattachment member into engagement with the arch wire. Another feature ofthe present invention is that the base member and the attachment membermay be magnetized to provide the biasing means, whereby the base memberand the attachment member are biased toward one another by magneticforce.

Another feature of the present invention is that it may include a meansfor releasably locking the base member and the attachment membertogether while permitting the base member and the attachment member tomove with respect to one another, whereby the base member and theattachment member are prevented from becoming accidentally disassociatedwhile in use.

A further feature of the present invention is that it may include ameans for tipping the tooth to which the base member is associated, thetipping means including two arch wire contact surfaces spaced apart fromone another and disposed on the attachment member, the two arch wirecontact surfaces lying in a plane which is not perpendicular with thelongitudinal axis of the attachment, whereby the tooth may be tippedabout the at least one arch wire contact surface of the base member andone contact surface of the attachment member, until both arch wirecontact surfaces of the attachment member contact the arch wire.

An additional feature of the present invention is that it may be includemeans for rotating the tooth to which the base member is associated, therotation means including at least one arch wire support slot disposed onthe attachment member and adjacent the at least one arch wire contactsurface, the arch wire support block adapted to contact the arch wireand provide a fulcrum about which the tooth is rotated.

In accordance with the invention, the foregoing advantages have alsobeen achieved through the present method for forming a variable sizearch wire receiving channel in an orthodontic bracket assembly. Thepresent invention includes the steps of: providing at least one archwire contact surface upon a base member; providing at least one archwire contact surface upon an attachment member; and movably associatingthe base member and the attachment member with respect to one another,whereby the at least one arch wire contact surfaces of both the basemember and the attachment member may contact and engage the arch wire. Afurther feature of the present invention is that the attachment and thebase member may be movably associated with respect to one another byslidably receiving a portion of the attachment member within an openingformed in the base member.

The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly adapted for use with an archwire of the present invention, when compared with previously proposedprior art orthodontic brackets and bracket assemblies, has theadvantages of: being simple and economical to use; permits differentsizes of arch wires to be used without removal and rebonding of thebrackets to the teeth; permits the vector forces applied to the teeth tobe readily changed without removal and rebonding of the brackets to theteeth; and prevents binding of the arch wire within the arch wirereceiving channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable orthodontic bracketassembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bracket assembly in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a bracket assemblyin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a front view of two teeth having bracket assemblies inaccordance with the present invention bonded thereon, the teeth beingshown at the beginning of an orthodontic procedure;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the two teeth of FIG. 5 toward the end of theorthodontic treatment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of four teeth having orthodontic bracketassemblies in accordance with the present invention bonded thereon, theteeth being shown at the beginning of an orthodontic treatment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the teeth of FIG. 7 toward the end ofthe orthodontic treatment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an attachment member in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a attachment member inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are front views of bracket assemblies in accordance withthe present invention; for tipping movement of teeth associated with thebracket assemblies;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a bracket assembly in accordance withthe present invention when a buccal tube is provided; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of the bracket assembly of FIG. 13.

While the invention will be described in connection with the preferredembodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit theinvention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to coverall alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be includedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, an adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly150 adapted for use with an arch wire 151, in accordance with thepresent invention, is shown to generally comprise a base member 152; anattachment member 153; and means for movably associating 154 base member152 and the attachment member 153 to one another to provide an arch wirereceiving channel 155. Base member 152 has at least one arch wirecontact surface 156 associated therewith, and the base member 152 isadapted to be associated with the surface of a tooth 157 (phantom linesin FIG. 2) in a conventional manner. In this regard, base member 152 mayinclude a mounting base 158 with any suitable configuration which may bebonded in a conventional manner to the surface of tooth 157. Preferably,mounting base 158 has an oval configuration so as to provide smoothrounded surfaces for comfort for the wearer and for ease of cleaning. Asis conventional in the art, base member 152, as well as attachmentmember 153, may be made from any suitable material used for orthodonticbrackets and appliances, such as stainless steel or any plastic materialhaving the requisite strength characteristics. As will hereinafter beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly 150 in accordance with the present invention, may alsobe associated with a tooth, such as tooth 157, as by securing mountingbase 158 to conventional bands (not shown) which are cemented to theteeth.

Still with reference to FIGS. 1-3, attachment member 153 also has atleast one arch wire contact surface 159 associated therewith. As willhereinafter be described in further detail, the embodiment oforthodontic bracket assembly 150 of FIG. 3 has two arch wire contactsurfaces 159 and 160 associated with attachment member 153. As seen inFIG. 1, after base member 152 and attachment member 153 have beenmovably associated with respect to one another, as will hereinafter bedescribed in greater detail, arch wire receiving channel 155 is formedby the at least one arch wire contact surface 156 of base member 152 andthe at least one arch wire contact surface 159 (FIGS. 1 and 2) or159,160 (FIG. 3). The movable association means 154 includes a slidingconnection means 161 between the base member 152 and the attachmentmember 153, wherein the sliding connection member means 161 includes anopening 162 disposed within the base member 152, and the attachmentmember 153 has an elongate support member 163 which is received withinthe opening 162 in a sliding relationship.

The elongate support member 163 of attachment member 153 preferably hasa generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration having an upperend 164 having a rounded configuration as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. Opening162 in turn has the same generally rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration as that of the elongate support member 163 of attachmentmember 153, whereby the elongate support member 163 is slidable withinopening 162, as well as guided within opening 162 by the wall surface165 of base member 152 which forms opening 162. It should be apparent toone skilled in the art, that other cross-sectional configurations forelongate support member 163 and for the mating of opening 162 could beutilized in practicing the present invention.

Because of the sliding connection means 161 of the movable associationmeans 154, different sizes of arch wire 151 can be accommodated withinthe arch wire receiving channel 155 of bracket assembly 150. Attachmentmember 153 may be moved with respect to base member 152 to eitherdecrease the distance between arch wire contact surfaces 156 and 159 (or159,160 as shown in FIG. 3) or to slide attachment member 153 downwardlyto increase the distance between the arch wire contact surfaces 156 and159 (or 159,160 in FIG. 3). Thus, if an orthodontist decides to changethe size of the arch wire 151 being utilized in a particular orthodontictreatment, it is unnecessary to remove base member 152 from tooth 157,nor is it necessary for the orthodontist to remove and replaceattachment member 153, in order to accommodate either a larger orsmaller arch wire 151.

Still with reference to FIGS. 1-3, orthodontic bracket assembly 150 maybe provided with a means for biasing 168 the base member 152 and theattachment member 153 together to bias the at least one arch wirecontact surfaces 156,159,160 of the base member 152 and attachmentmember 153 into engagement with the arch wire 151. Conventional elasticbonds, or rubber bands, 169 (FIGS. 1-2 in phantom lines) may be utilizedas the biasing means 168. The attachment member 153 and base member 152may each be provided with wing members 170,171 associated therewith forengagement with the rubber band 169 in a conventional manner.Alternatively, base member 152 and attachment member 153 may bemanufactured of a magnetic material, and/or magnetized, to provide thebiasing means 168, whereby the base member 152 and the attachment member153 are biased toward each other by the magnetic force of the magneticmaterial or the magnetic attraction forces between the base member 152and attachment member 153. It should be noted that it is preferable thatall the surfaces of the base member 152 and attachment member 153,including wing members 170,171 have a smooth rounded configuration so asto minimize any discomfort to the orthodontic patient.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, orthodontic bracket assembly 150 of thepresent invention may include a means for releasably locking 175 thebase member 152 and the attachment member 153 together while permittingthe base member 152 and the attachment member 153 to move with respectto one another, whereby the base member 152 and the attachment member153 are prevented from becoming accidentally disassociated while in use.For example, were a rubber band 169 to be used for the biasing means168, and the rubber band 169 were to break, it would be possible thatattachment member 153 could slide outwardly from base member 152, andeither remain dangling from base member 152 or perhaps completelybecoming disengaged therefrom. Releasable locking means 175 may be thusprovided to the orthodontic bracket assembly 150. Releasable lockingmeans 175, as seen in FIGS. 1-3, may include at least one projectionmember 176 disposed on attachment member 153 and engageable with thebase member 152 to prevent the accidental disassociation of the basemember 152 and the attachment member 153. The at least one projectionmember 176 of FIGS. 1-3 may be disposed upon the elongate support member163 of attachment member 153, and the projection member 176 may have arounded configuration which protrudes beyond the outer surface ofelongate support member 163 and slightly beyond the opening 162 in basemember 152. When it is desired to initially assemble bracket assembly150 by inserting attachment member 153 within base member 152, there issufficient yielding between attachment member 153 and base member 152,whereby the projection member 176 may be slightly compressed and passthrough opening 162 of base member 152 and in turn pass wing 171 of basemember 152, upon the application of sufficient force by theorthodontist. Were rubber band 169 to break, it is possible thatattachment member 153 might slide downwardly, when viewed in FIG. 2;however, it is envisioned that an insufficient force would be exertedupon attachment member 153 to cause the projection member 176 to movepast either wing 171 or through opening 162.

In FIG. 4, another embodiment of projection member 176 of locking means175 is shown to comprise at least one, and preferably two tapered wedgemembers 176' which, upon the application of a sufficient force by theorthodontist, may pass through opening 162 and pass wall surface 165 ofbase member 152. Should biasing rubber band 169 break, it is believedthat an insufficient force would be exerted upon the elongate supportmember 163, whereby the wedge members, or projection members, 176' wouldnot pass through opening 162 in base member 152.

As seen in FIGS. 1-4, the arch wire contact surfaces 156,159,160, allhave a rounded configuration 179. As seen in FIG. 1, when arch wire 151is moved to the left or right is shown by arrows .[.180.]..Iadd.181.Iaddend., arch wire 151 would not contact, nor engage, all ofthe arch wire contact surface 156 or 159, but rather would make pointcontact such as with line 180 or arch wire contact surface 159.Likewise, should arch wire 151 move in the direction shown by arrows181, sliding movement of attachment member 153 with respect to basemember 152 would accommodate movement of arch wire 151 in the directionof arrows 181, and arch wire 151 would likewise not contact the entirearch wire contact surface 156,159, although the surface area of archwire contact surfaces 156 and 159 contacted by arch wire 151 wouldincrease somewhat from that illustrated by line 181 of FIG. 1.Furthermore, as arch wire moves upwardly and downwardly in the directionshown by arrows 181, there are no sharp edges, such as right angle edgesfound in the prior art, which would grip, or bind, arch wire 151 withinarch wire receiving channel 155.

With reference to FIG. 2, the orthodontic bracket assembly 150 may beprovided with a means for torquing 185 the tooth 157 to which the base152 is associated. As previously described, torquing of a tooth istwisting or turning of the tooth about an axis formed by the arch wire151, or movement in the direction of arrows 186 in FIG. 2. Torquingmeans 185 may be provided by using an inclined surface 187 as at leastone arch wire contact surface, which is preferably the arch wire contactsurface 159' disposed upon attachment member 153. Because of theinclined surface 187 and its point contact with arch wire 151, bracket150 may pivot about the point contact between arch wire 151 and theinclined surface 187 in the direction of arrows 186, dependent upon theforces acting upon bracket 150, which forces may be applied as byconventional ligature wires or rubber bands 169, attached to attachmentmember 153.

When bracket assembly is provided with torquing means 185, the arch wirecontact surface 159', or inclined surface 187 (FIG. 2), is utilized.Arch wire contact surface 159' when viewed in the direction shown byarrow 188 in FIG. 1 would have the same rounded configuration 179 ofarch wire contact surface 159 previously described, but the arch wirecontact surface 159' would only lie in a plane as illustrated by phantomline 187, when viewed from the side as in FIG. 2.

The bracket assemblies 150 of FIGS. 1 and 3 are generally used forproviding upward or downward movement of tooth 157 as will behereinafter described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.Bracket assembly 150 of FIG. 2, when provided with torquing means 185,may be utilized to provide both upward or downward movement of tooth157, as well as the torquing movement in the direction of arrows 186 aspreviously described. The embodiment of bracket assembly 150 of FIGS.1-3 may also be utilized to provide rotation of tooth 157. Such rotationmay be provided by disposing a shim or elastic band 190 (FIG. 2 inphantom lines) over wing members 170,171 and disposing the shim orelastic band 190 between the elongate support member 163 of attachmentmember 153 and the arch wire 151, with the rubber band 169 being used asbiasing means 168 in the position shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the elasticband 190, or shim, permits tooth 157 to be rotated with respect to archwire 151 about an axis formed by the longitudinal axis of elongatesupport member 163 of attachment member 153. As will be hereinafterfurther described in connection with FIG. 9, another manner in which torotate tooth 157 will be described.

With reference now to FIGS. 5-6 and 11-12, a means for tipping 200 atooth to which a base member 152 is associated will be described. InFIG. 5, tooth 157 is shown with the base member 152 and attachmentmember 153, as previously described in connection with FIG. 3, attachedthereto. Biasing means 168 or rubber band 169 is utilized, and as seenin FIG. 6, upon completion of the orthodontic treatment, tooth 157 hasbeen raised in the direction of arrow 201 to assume the position shownin FIG. 6. Tooth 202 of FIG. 5 is desired to be moved in the directionof arrow 203, or tipped in the direction of arrow 203 by theorthodontist. Means for tipping 200 tooth 202 includes two arch wirecontact surfaces 159,160, as previously described in connection withFIG. 3, the two arch wire contact surfaces 159,160 being spaced apartfrom one another and disposed on the attachment member 153, as byconnecting them to elongate support member 163 of attachment member 153,as previously described in connection with FIG. 3. The arch wire contactsurfaces 159,160 of the bracket assembly 150 in FIG. 5 differ from thoseshown in FIG. 3 in that arch wire contact surfaces 159,160 lie in aplane 204 (phantom lines in FIG. 5 and as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12)which is not perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 205 of attachmentmember 153. Upon a biasing force being applied upon attachment member153 and base member 152 as shown in FIG. 5, tooth 202 will pivot aboutarch wire contact surface 159 until tooth 202 assumes the orientationshown in FIG. 6, wherein both arch wire contact surfaces of attachmentmember 153 contact arch wire 151, as also seen in FIG. 11.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, it is seen that it is desired to raisetooth 157 from position shown in FIG. 7 to that shown in FIG. 8, and itis desired to tip tooth 202 in the direction shown by arrow 203 into theposition shown in FIG. 8. Likewise, it is desired to tip tooth 210 fromthe position shown in FIG. 7 to the position shown in FIG. 8. Tooth 210is provided with a bracket assembly 150 having tipping means 200 whereinarch wire contact surfaces 160 and 159 are also disposed in the plane204 which is not perpendicular with the longitudinal axis 205 ofattachment member 153 as seen in FIGS. 7 and 12; however, in the case ofthe bracket assembly 150 associated with tooth 210, arch wire contactsurface 160 is initially in contact with arch wire 151. After thebiasing force has been applied, arch wire contact surface 159 of bracketassembly 150 will also contact arch wire 151, as shown in FIGS. 8 and12. In FIGS. 7 and 8, tooth 220 is a molar, whereby it can be seen thatthrough use of tipping means 202, it is possible to tip a tooth, such astooth 201 mesially in the direction of arrow 203?, as well as to tip atooth, such as tooth 210 distally as in the direction of arrow 204. Aswill be described in further detail in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14,molar 220 is provided with another embodiment of bracket assembly 150which forms a buccal tube as will hereinafter be described in furtherdetail.

With reference to FIG. 10, another tipping means 200' is illustrated.Whereas the tipping means 200 is shown in FIGS. 5-7 and 11-12 utilizestwo arch wire contact surfaces which are fixedly secured to theattachment member 153, in FIG. 10 the two arch wire contact surfaces159,160 are adjustably mounted on the attachment member 153. As seen inFIG. 10, elongate support member 163 is provided with an opening 230,and arch wire contact surfaces 159,160 (arch wire contact surface 159being shown in phantom lines) are disposed apart from another via aconnector member 231 having an opening 232 form therein. The lower endof elongate support member 163 has a tension wire, or spring, 233 havingits lower end 234 fixedly secured to the lower end of elongate supportmember 163. The upper end 235 of tension wire, or spring, 233 is spacedoutwardly from elongate support member 163. Connector member 231 is thendisposed between the upper end 235 of tension wire spring 233 andelongate support member 163, with opening 232 of connector member 231 ina mating relationship with opening 234 of elongate support member 163. Apin or screw connector 236 may then be passed through openings 232 intoopening 230 to secure connector member 231 to elongate support member163. The upper end 235 of tension wire, or spring, 233 may then beengageable with a plurality of slotted grooves 237 formed in connectormember 231. By turning the connector member 231 with arch wire contactsurfaces 159,160 attached thereto, about pin 236, the upper end 235 oftension wire or spring 233 will mate with one of the grooves 237,whereby arch wire contact surfaces may assume the positions shown inFIGS. 11, 12, or 3, dependent upon which groove the upper end 235 oftension wire or spring 233 is disposed.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a means for rotating 240 a tooth to whicha base member 152 (FIG. 3) is associated, is illustrated. Attachmentmember 153 of FIG. 9 is identical to that previously described inconnection with FIG. 3 and is used with the same base member 152 aspreviously described in connection with FIGS. 1-8 and 10-12, with theexception that base member 153 is provided with rotation means 240.Rotation means 240 includes at least one arch wire support block 241,242disposed on attachment member 153 and adjacent the at least one archwire contact surface 159,160. The arch wire support blocks 241,242 maybe fixedly secured to attachment member 153 as by a cross member 245fixedly secured to the elongate support member 163 of attachment member153. When the attachment member 153 of FIG. 9, having rotation means 240associated therewith, is disposed on base member 152, arch wire 151 willabut and contact the arch wire support blocks 241,242, which in turnprovides a fulcrum for the tooth to be rotated about its longitudinalaxis. If a single arch wire support block 241 is utilized as therotation means 240, this arch wire support block 241 would contact thearch wire 151, upon application of a biasing force, such as by a rubberband connecting end 246 of cross member 245 to arch wire 151. Thatbiasing force will cause the tooth to rotate about the contact pointbetween arch wire support block 241 and arch wire 151, or in other wordswill cause the tooth to be rotated about its longitudinal axis, whichwould generally correspond to the longitudinal axis of the attachmentmember 153. If two arch wire support blocks 241,242 were utilized as therotation means 240, each arch wire support block would have a groove247,248 formed therein to matingly receive arch wire 151. The depth ofthe two grooves 247,248 would differ whereby at the beginning of thetreatment, the arch wire would only be in contact with the bottom of oneof the grooves, the other groove bottom being spaced from the arch wire.After application of a biasing force upon attachment member 153, thetooth will be rotated whereby both groove bottoms would be in contactwith arch wire 151. For example, if the groove 248 of arch wire supportblock 242 were deeper than the groove 247 of arch wire support block241, only the bottom of groove 247 of arch wire support block 241 wouldcontact arch wire 151. Upon application of a biasing force, upon the end246 of cross member 245, a tooth associated with attachment member 153of FIG. 9 would be rotated in the direction shown by arrow 249. Rotationin the opposite direction from arrow 249 could be achieved by reversingthe arch wire support blocks 241,242. It should be noted that therotation means 240 illustrated in FIG. 9 could be combined with tippingmeans 200, by disposing arch wire contact surfaces 159,160 in a planewhich is not perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the attachmentmember 153 as previously described in connection with FIGS. 5-8 and10-12.

With reference now to FIGS. 13 and 14, a buccal tube 260 embodiment ofbracket assembly 150' is illustrated. A base member 152' is providedwhich has two arch wire contact surfaces 159' associated with mountingbase 158'. Mounting base 158' differs from mounting base 158 previouslydescribed in that it is wider to accommodate the two arch wire contactsurfaces 156'. Arch wire contact surfaces 159' differ from thosepreviously described in connection with FIG. 1, in that arch wirecontact surfaces 159' do not have a rounded configuration, but rather aflat planer configuration 261, as found in conventional buccal tubes.Bracket assembly 150' is provided with two attachment member 153' aspreviously described in connection with FIG. 1, with the exception thatarch wire contact surfaces 159' have the same configuration as contactsurfaces 156' as previously described. If desired, the two attachmentmembers 153' could be joined by a connector member 262 as shown inphantom lines in FIG. 13 to provide additional strength and rigidity.Each arch wire contact surface 159' and 156' is provided with enclosuremember 263 disposed adjacent each arch wire contact surface. As seen inFIGS. 13 and 14, biasing means 168 or rubber bands 169 cause theattachment members 153' to move into an abutting relationship with thebase member 152' whereby the closure members 267 of the attachmentmember 153' abut the closure members 267 of the base member 152' to forma buccal tube 260 which receives the arch wire 151 therein. As isconventional in the art, buccal tubes 260 are typically provided uponmolars, such as molar 220 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

In accordance with the invention, as previously described, a method forforming a variable sized arch wire receiving channel 155 in anorthodontic bracket assembly 150 comprises the steps of: (a) providingat least one arch wire contact surface 156 upon a base member 152; (b)providing at least one arch wire contact surface 159 upon movementmember 153; and (c) movably associating the base member 152 and theattachment member 153 with respect to one another, whereby the at leastone arch wire contact surfaces 156,159 of the base member 152 and theattachment member 153 may contact and engage the arch wire 151. Aspreviously described, a further step of the method in accordance withthe present invention is movably associating the attachment member 153and the base member 152 with respect to one another by slidablyreceiving a portion of the attachment member 153, such as elongatesupport arm 163, within an opening 162 formed in the base member 152.

It should be noted that in beginning an orthodontic treatment with theadjustable orthodontic bracket assembly 150 of the present invention, abase member may be initially bonded to all the teeth, but it is notnecessary to use an attachment member in connection with each basemember. For example, initially there may be a tooth which is disposed sofar away from the arch wire that an attachment member would not reachthe particular base member with which it should be associated. With theadjustable orthodontic bracket assembly of the present invention, theattachment member 153 can be deleted and a biasing means, or rubberband, can be stretched between the base member and the arch wire, orbetween the base member and an adjacent tooth to initially move themalposed tooth into its proper orientation. While the attachment is notbeing utilized, it does not interfere with the treatment of adjacentteeth, and after the malposed tooth has moved toward its desiredorientation, an attachment member can be later associated with the basemember in the manner previously described herein.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exactdetails of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiment shownand described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparentto one skilled in the art. For example, while the adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly of the present invention has been illustrated for useon the labial and buccal surfaces of the teeth, the bracket assembly ofthe present invention could be used on the lingual surfaces of theteeth. Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly adapted for usewith an arch wire comprising:a base member having at least one arch wirecontact surface, the base member adapted to be associated with thesurface of a tooth, the tooth having a longitudinal axis; an attachmentmember having at least one arch wire contact surface; .[.and.]. meansfor movably associating the base member and the attachment member withrespect to one another, along an axis substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the tooth, to provide an arch wire receivingchannel formed by the at least one arch wire contact surfaces of thebase member and the attachment member, whereby the size of the arch wirereceiving channel may be varied to accommodate different sizes of archwire by relative movement between the base member and the attachmentmember .Iadd.; and means for biasing the base member and the attachmentmember together to bias the at least one arch wire contact surface ofthe base member and the attachment member into engagement with the archwire.
 2. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly of claim 1, whereinthe movable association means includes a sliding connection meansbetween the base member and the attachment member.
 3. The adjustableorthodontic bracket assembly of claim 2, wherein the sliding connectionmeans includes an opening disposed within the base member and theattachment member has an elongate support member which is receivedwithin the opening in a sliding relationship. .[.
 4. The adjustableorthodontic bracket assembly of claim 1, including means for biasing thebase member and the attachment member together to bias the at least onearch wire contact surfaces of the base member and the attachment memberinto engagement with the arch wire..].
 5. The adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly of claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the biasingmeans comprises a rubber band which is associated with the attachmentmember and the base member.
 6. The adjustable orthodontic bracketassembly of claim 5, wherein the attachment member and the base membereach have a wing member associated therewith which engages with therubber band.
 7. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly of claim.[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein the base member and the attachmentmember are magnetized to provide the biasing means whereby the basemember and the attachment member are biased toward one another bymagnetic force.
 8. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly of claim1, including a means for releasably locking the base member and theattachment member together while permitting the base member and theattachment member to move with respect to one another, whereby the basemember and the attachment member are prevented from becomingaccidentally disassociated while in use.
 9. The adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the releasable locking meansincludes at least one projection member disposed on the attachmentmember, the at least one projection member being engageable with thebase member to prevent accidental disassociation of the base member andthe attachment member.
 10. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assemblyof claim 3, including a means for releasably locking the base member andthe attachment member together while permitting sliding movement of theattachment member with respect to the base member, the releasablelocking means including at least one projection member disposed on theelongate support member of the attachment member, the at least oneprojection member being engageable with the base member adjacent theopening formed in the base member.
 11. The adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one arch wire contactsurfaces of the base member and the attachment member have a roundedconfiguration, whereby binding of the arch wire within the arch wirereceiving channel is minimized.
 12. The adjustable orthodontic bracketassembly of claim 1, including means for tipping the tooth to which thebase member is associated, the tipping means including two arch wirecontact surfaces spaced apart from one another and disposed on theattachment member, the two arch wire contact surfaces lying in a planewhich is not perpendicular with the longitudinal axis of the attachmentmember, whereby the tooth may be tipped about the at least one arch wirecontact surface of the base member and one contact surface of theattachment member until both arch wire contact surfaces of theattachment member contact the arch wire.
 13. The adjustable orthodonticbracket assembly of claim 12, wherein the two arch wire contact surfaceson the attachment member are fixedly secured to the attachment member.14. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly of claim 12, wherein thetwo arch wire contact surfaces on the attachment member are adjustablymounted on the attachment member.
 15. The adjustable orthodontic bracketassembly of claim 1, including means for rotating the tooth to which thebase member is associated, the rotation means including at least onearch wire support block disposed on the attachment member and adjacentthe at least one arch wire contact surface, the arch wire support blockadapted to contact the arch wire and provide a fulcrum about which thetooth is rotated.
 16. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly ofclaim 1, wherein two arch wire contact surfaces are disposed on the basemember and spaced apart from one another; two arch wire contact surfacesare disposed on the attachment member and spaced apart from one another;and a closure member is disposed adjacent each arch wire contactsurface, the closure members of the attachment member abutting theclosure members of the base member, whereby a buccal tube is providedand adapted to receive the arch wire therein.
 17. The adjustableorthodontic bracket assembly of claim 1, including means for torquingthe tooth to which the base member is associated, the torquing meansbeing formed by an inclined surface used as at least one arch wirecontact surface.
 18. The adjustable orthodontic bracket assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the inclined surface is disposed on the at least onearch wire contact surface of the attachment member.
 19. A method forforming a variable sized arch wire receiving channel in an orthodonticbracket assembly comprising the steps of:(a) providing at least one archwire contact surface upon a base member adapted to be associated with atooth having a longitudinal axis; (b) providing at least one arch wirecontact surface upon an attachment member; .[.and.]. (c) movablyassociating the base member and the attachment member with respect toone another along an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the tooth, whereby the at least one arch wire contact surfacesof both base member and the attachment member may contact and engage thearch wire .Iadd.; and biasing the base member and the attachment membertogether to bias the at least one arch wire contact surfaces of the basemember and the attachment member into engagement with the archwire.Iaddend..
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the attachment memberand the base member are movably associated with respect to one anotherby slidably receiving a portion of the attachment member within anopening formed in the base member. .Iadd.
 21. An orthodontic edgewisebracket assembly for use on labial and buccal surfaces of a tooth andadapted for use with an arch wire comprising:a base member having amounting base for bonding to the labial or buccal surface of a tooth,the tooth having a longitudinal axis; two or three arch wire contactsurfaces associated with the base member and spaced from each otheralong the longitudinal axis of the tooth to provide an arch wirereceiving channel formed by at least two arch wire contact surfaces, thearch wire contact surfaces lying in planes which are substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tooth and to the labial orbuccal surface of the tooth; and each arch wire contact surface having arounded configuration, without sharp edges which contact the arch wireand cause the arch wire to bind within the arch wire receiving channel,whereby the arch wire does not contact all of the arch wire contactsurfaces and binding of the arch wire within the arch wire receivingchannel is prevented. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. The orthodontic bracketassembly of claim 21, wherein each rounded arch wire contact surfaceslopes away from a portion of each arch wire contact surface whichcontacts the arch wire. .Iaddend.